International Business

International know-how could be your key to success in today’s business world

Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in International Business

We live and work in a global economy that is constantly changing. Consumer and business needs are always evolving, and new regulations and trade agreements happen almost daily. In addition, the Internet has helped to erase geographic boundaries so now even the smallest companies have international customers.

Learn to recognize opportunities…

Organizations that do business internationally need professionals who understand the complexities of working with foreign companies. New opportunities exist overseas for company partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, sales, outsourcing, and other relationships, and trained individuals must determine which prospects make the most sense for their organization.

…as well as potential risks

On the flip side, anti-U.S. attitudes and political and social trends in Europe, Russia, Asia, China, India, and the Middle East will affect a company’s future. They will need someone to recognize these threats and help strategize to overcome them.

Distinguish yourself as an International Business expert

Those who succeed in an international business career will be able to monitor and manage differences in:

Legal and political systems

Accounting and labor standards

Economic policies

Environmental controls

Local and corporate culture

Personal interaction and communication practices

Religious beliefs and how they affect business

Import and export regulations

Trade agreements

International Business - A career that can really take you places

Successful International Business leaders must understand and respect other cultures and their regulations. They must enjoy traveling and have in-depth knowledge of other countries. It is also helpful to speak at least one foreign language.

What are the career opportunities in this field?

Nearly every company is going global, and virtually every aspect of the company is affected.

There are many different careers that an International Business professional can pursue. Professionals in this field typically combine this specialty with an interest or talent they hold in a particular aspect of business. For example, an International Business student who enjoys marketing may seek out opportunities in the marketing department of companies that conduct business globally, and an individual with a hobby of investing in the stock market may be a good fit as a company’s representative to overseas shareholders.

There are four main types of international business career arrangements:

Live in the U.S. and work for a U.S. company that does business abroad, with little or no travel involved

Live in the U.S. and travel abroad frequently to represent a U.S. company

Live in a foreign country while working for a U.S. company, and travel back to the U.S. occasionally or rarely

Live in the U.S. and work for a company that is based overseas with little or no travel involved

While the opportunities are endless, below are a few of the most common positions available in the International Business career field:

Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat - This group of workers is employed by the U.S. government to live abroad and help protect the interests and the citizens of the U.S. A large part of their job is to promote peace and cooperation with their country of residence. Entry into this field is competitive, and those interested must pass the Foreign Service Officer Test and agree to live anywhere in the world. Salary is dependent upon years of service and level of education, and officers may also receive additional allowances for living and travel. According to the U.S. Department of Affairs, there are five different career tracks for diplomats:

Political Officers - interpret events and situations related to U.S. interests

Public Diplomacy Officers - broaden understanding of American values and policies

International Account Rep - Also called International Sales Rep or Executive, this position is responsible for cultivating and/or maintaining relationships with overseas clients. Compensation may include sales bonuses and is usually higher than other sales positions because of the extensive travel that is typically required.

International Marketing/Sales Analyst -This position conducts market research to determine which areas overseas might provide good opportunity for the sale of a company’s product or service. Once they are identified, the analysts will do additional research to find out how to sell that product successfully in the new market.

International Mergers and Acquisitions Specialist - When a company is looking to partner with or purchase an existing company abroad, the mergers and acquisitions specialist will seek out potential businesses and markets that would be conducive to the company’s goals. This includes:

Identifying the best geographic, cultural, and political location for the company to expand

Researching the prospective businesses (such as their financials, employees, and facilities)

Negotiating the purchase or partnership with the potential business

Making sure the country’s business laws regarding partnerships and mergers are followed

Helping to implement the new relationship with that business

International Product Manager - Whereas international account reps focus on customer relationships, product managers concentrate more on the product and product development. They take ownership of a specific product or product line and typically help to design, enhance, market, sell, and get customer feedback about the product.

Import/Export Agent - Also referred to as Brokers, this career bridges the gap between the producer and retailer(s) of that product. Import/export agents work with a manufacturer from one country to buy a product at wholesale, often receiving a volume discount for buying a large quantity. They then resell it to companies in another country. This arrangement can be very beneficial to both the manufacturer and the retailer because:

The manufacturer can produce their product faster if they are filling one large order rather than many small ones

The manufacturer has less overhead by managing one giant account rather than a large number of smaller ones

The retailer also has less overhead if they buy a number of different products from one import/export agent, rather than having accounts with many manufacturers

The retailer would pay a much higher price if they bought from the manufacturer on their own because they only need a small amount of the product and therefore would not qualify for the volume discount

Neither company has to worry about the obstacles and challenges of doing business with a different country or culture

Whichever country, culture, or area of business is most interesting to you, there’s a career for you in International Business.

What is the program title, length, and content?

International Business Program Info Chart

Program availability varies by location.

Program

Credits

Months

Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in International Business

123

36

*Average number of months for students to complete program

Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in International Business

This degree program is designed to prepare you to work for and with companies around the world. The coursework provides insight into different cultures and protocols as well as a well-rounded understanding of the regulations involved in global contracts. Our graduates have the credentials needed to work at a current multi-national corporation as well as capabilities required to help a company join the global marketplace. Download Program Course Sheet

Our graduates:

Have the ability to apply financial and economic knowledge to international business affairs

Understand the international laws governing intellectual property to include patents, trademarks, and copyrights

Think critically at a conceptual level and by using mathematical analysis as well as the scientific method

Understand human behavior in the context of the greater society in a culturally diverse world

Which locations offer this program?

Atlanta Campus

Birmingham Campus

Brookfield Campus

Kenosha Campus

Madison Campus

Minneapolis Campus

New Orleans Campus

Online Campus

Orlando Campus

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Chen "Emily" Mi

International Business

Atlanta Campus

Herzing is small but it has everything we students need. Especially for international students who don't know the language very well. The greatest thing about Herzing is the small class size.